Remember the 3P's When Work Isn't Satisfying

24 November 2025

Remember the Three P's when work is not satisfying

From time to time everyone ends up in a role that they do not find satisfying.  Most of the time the factors that lead to a lack of satisfaction can be linked back to one of three conditions:

• You have outgrown the role and it no longer has challenge for you
• You don't, and can't get, the support around you to make progress
• There is a miss match between what the role requires and your skills

If you find that you are in a role that is no longer satisfying the trick is to not get stuck there too long. The longer you are in an unsatisfying role the more narrow your thinking becomes and pessimism and resentfulness can creep in - without you even noticing.

A trick is to remember the three P's that are grounded in the science of your explanatory style.

Remember:

1. It is not Permanent – you can move on.  You may have to compromise and take a different path than you want - generally speaking it is easier to move to a new role when moving from one you are enjoying.
2. It is not Pervasive – just because your career is not satisfying at the moment that does not mean you can’t enjoy other areas of your life.  In fact it is more important to have a full life outside of work when work is less than satisfying.
3. It is not Personal – there is nothing in your character that makes the job horrible.  You are not cursed or incapable of doing satisfying work.  You are talented and skilful and have a unique contribution to make.  If it is not in this current role find one that does fit for you.

If you are currently in a dissatisfying role try to notice what you are telling yourself about the situation.  Which of the Three P's are present in your narrative?  If it seems permanent how can you make it temporary?  If it feels pervasive what are the exceptions?  If you view it as personal, then without blame reality check all the other factors that play into the situation.  

Then have some fun experimenting with some new thinking.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson

All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make, the better.

As always, wishing you a flourishing career.

Katherine